The basic measure of the nature of a fine-grained soil. Depending on the water content of the soil, it may appear in four states: solid, semi-solid, plastic and liquid. In each state, the consistency and behavior of a soil is different and consequently so are its engineering properties. They can be used to distinguish between silt and clay, and it can distinguish between different types of silts and clays

The soil used to backfill behind the wall rock in the reinforced zone. These soils need to be identified and approved by a qualified engineer before they can be used. A granular type of material is best.

Typically this refers to the geogrid behind the wall that is used to provide additional stability for taller wall heights. However, this may include no-fines concrete and tie-back systems like earth anchors and soil nails.

Shotcrete is a concrete sprayed at high velocity over steel cages or wire mesh that creates a concrete structure that can incorporate multiple types of reinforcement such as soil nails, steel mesh, or fiber reinforcement.